Glass floats were once used by fishermen in many parts of the world to keep their fishing nets afloat. Large groups of fishnets strung together, sometimes 50 miles long, were set adrift in the ocean and supported near the surface by hollow glass balls containing air to give them buoyancy. These glass floats are no longer being used by fisherman, but many of them are still afloat in the world’s oceans, primarily the Pacific. They have become a popular collectors item for beachcombers and decorators.

Old floats can run hundreds of dollars, but our new, less expensive floats are just as beautiful. They can be used in mass for decorating around the home … in a front porch fountain and backyard pond. They are beautiful when used to fill glass hurricanes and apothecary jars or a clear lamp base. Several baseball size floats look stunning in a greenhouse window at your kitchen sink. In the sunroom, smaller finds can fill a wire basket. WhereverJapanese glass floats are kept, the sunlight induced rainbow glow is irresistible.